Statue of Junípero Serra, Wooden statue in Carmel-by-the-Sea, United States

This wooden sculpture depicts Father Junipero Serra, a Franciscan friar, carved from oak by artist Jo Mora and placed at a major street intersection. The figure holds architectural plans and wears traditional religious clothing typical of his monastic order.

The friar depicted founded nine missions across California between 1769 and 1784. One of these religious communities was established near Carmel, where this sculpture now stands.

The shrine was dedicated on July 22, 1922, Serra Day, a holiday proclaimed by the Carmel Town Trustees. At the ceremony Father Raymond Mestres, pastor of Carmel Mission, blessed it, George Sterling's poem was read, and a replica was carried from the mission in a pageant with a cavalry guard and Presidio band.

The sculpture stands at the corner of Serra Avenue and Camino Del Monte, easily reached on foot from downtown. The location is in a quiet residential area with plenty of space to view and photograph from different angles.

The Serra Shrine was dedicated on July 22, 1922, the opening day of Samuel F. B. Morse's Carmel Woods subdivision, which the town trustees had proclaimed Serra Day. A replica of Jo Mora's oak statue was carried in a pageant procession from Carmel Mission to Carmel Woods, escorted by a cavalry guard and a band from the Monterey Presidio.